Kamoizumi Umeshu plum sake

The parents of my best friend in primary school were Chinese, and whenever I visited their house I was given sticky sweets that tasted a little of condensed milk, wrapped in edible rice paper. Wikipedia now tells me White Rabbit Creamy Candy is `an iconic cultural brand in production since 1943` in Shanghai. I had entirely forgotten about it until this Umeshu plum sake brought back a vivid taste memory. It doesn`t just taste of White Rabbit Creamy Candy; there`s a lovely sweet-sour tension between sweet ground almond and piquant salted plum. Ume means plum; this is a genshu (undiluted) sake, infused with organic plums from Kishu, Japan`s best plum orchard region. It is a sweet drink, but with enough sharp acidity and savoury umami flavour to match with rich meat dishes. It isn`t quite sweet enough for most desserts, but would sit very nicely beside a fruit salad. It lasts for a long time when open and can be served chilled or with a splash of hot water according to the season. Delicious, surprising, complex. (NT 18/05/22)